In Alytus, a mother and daughter proudly run the Gerulis kennel – their dogs even bring joy to hospice patients in Catalonia
When it comes to the “best” dog breed, there is no single answer. A perfect four-legged friend can come from a shelter or from a well-documented pedigree kennel. What matters most is whether the owner connects with the dog.
“I’m happy I found my breed – Labrador Retriever,” says Alytus local Jūratė Jaciunskienė. Together with her daughter Virginija Gerule, she founded the Gerulis Labrador Retriever kennel in 2017.
Jūratė lives in the Alytus district, in a spacious homestead near Luksnėnai, while her daughter currently lives in Denmark. Their property is home to three adult Labradors and the young pup Boss, who will soon attend his first dog show.
Why “Gerulis”?
The kennel’s name comes from Jūratė’s maiden name. “We thought it fit perfectly because these dogs are really good – true ‘Gerulis’,” she smiles.
Life revolves around the dogs
“Our whole life now revolves around the dogs. Without them, life would feel very static. Every day I walk 5–7 km with them in the forest, and we also travel with them, often visiting my daughter in Denmark, who also has a Labrador,” Jūratė shares.
Raising multiple dogs requires effort, but she enjoys it. Puppies are raised at home for 2–3 months before going to their new families. They are not kept in kennels; they are part of the family and receive lots of attention and training.
Well-behaved dogs make life easier
“If dogs are well-trained, even three large ones don’t cause problems. But an untrained dog can jump on the table or on your head! Our dogs don’t go on sofas or beds; they know boundaries because we’ve worked with them consistently,” Jūratė explains.
All Gerulis dogs attend training classes to socialize properly. The kennel also performs special tests on puppies at seven weeks, assessing innate traits and temperaments – calm, curious, or energetic. This is especially important since Labradors are often trained for therapy, guide work, or assisting people with special needs.
Helping others with dogs
Some Gerulis dogs are already working in special roles. For example, a pup with a calm temperament was selected by a trainer from Spain to assist hospice patients in Catalonia, bringing joy and comfort to seriously ill people. Another puppy was chosen for a child with autism in Lithuania after careful assessment.
Responsible placement of puppies
Jūratė emphasizes that the kennel carefully screens families before selling a puppy. If a family isn’t ready, the dog will not be placed with them. She maintains ongoing contact with puppy owners and invites them to events and competitions, fostering a supportive community.
Golden advice for families
“Before getting a dog for your child, parents should ask themselves: do YOU want a dog? Your decision is the most important,” says Jūratė.
She concludes: dogs give unconditional love every day, becoming full members of the family. Owning a puppy is a serious responsibility and should not be taken lightly.
